Overview
The Environment Agency are committed to an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are looking for a Senior Environmental Crime Officer to join the water industry regulation teams and help lead the fight against growing and increasingly complex environmental crime. You will tackle serious non-compliance within the water industry and help regulate water companies to manage the water cycle without causing environmental harm.
Responsibilities
* Taking the lead on complex investigations, targeting illegal activities and ensuring investigations are focused, conducted to the required standard and delivered at pace.
* Gathering intelligence, disrupting offenders and using a full range of enforcement tools to bring activities into compliance, or stop them altogether.
* Constructing and supporting robust case files, often working in partnership with legal teams and other enforcement bodies.
* You’ll focus on crime prevention, drawing on your industry expertise to identify patterns, anticipate risks and disrupt criminal operations before they escalate.
* You’ll work closely with internal regulatory teams, national enforcement and intelligence colleagues and external partners including the police and local authorities. Your leadership within the team will help improve performance, support continuous improvement and encourage sharing of best practice.
* Acting as an advisor to your Team Leader, helping to manage and allocate resources to ensure an efficient and effective approach to your wider team’s work.
Experience, Skills and Qualifications
* An understanding of the water industry, including regulatory powers and how they can be applied effectively.
* Strong knowledge of relevant legislation, including the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act, Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act and water management law.
* Experience working within an intelligence-led environment, with the ability to use intelligence to inform and shape enforcement activity.
* A proactive and creative approach to disrupting offenders and applying sustained pressure to bring about compliance.
* Strong partnership skills, with experience collaborating with legal professionals, internal teams and external enforcement bodies.
* Ability to lead by example, inspiring and motivating others through personal accountability and enthusiasm.
* Strong organisational skills with the ability to make best use of available resources.
* A full UK driving licence.
Environment and Additional Information
The Environment Agency is committed to diversity and inclusion and welcomes flexible working patterns for all vacancies, including job share. If you are applying from the Civil Service, please note the guidance on status and continuous service. We also operate a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support applicants with disabilities whose applications meet the minimum criteria for the post.
The team is based in the Southern Water enforcement area and you will work mainly in an office-based role with occasional travel to support investigations and enforcement across your hub. You will have a designated office base, but flexibility is essential to meet changing priorities and support teams in other locations as required.
How to Apply and Contact
For questions, please contact regulationresourcing@environment-agency.gov.uk. Interviews are expected to take place w/c 19 January 2026 via MS Teams. Some roles may attract additional pay for incident work with full training and flexible working arrangements provided. A reserve list may be maintained for similar roles in different locations.
Artificial intelligence note: AI can support your application, but all examples must be truthful and taken from your own experience. The Environment Agency remains committed to lawful and ethical use of AI as outlined on the Civil Service Careers guidance.
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